Circuit Attorney’s Office Clears Another Homicide Case

ST. LOUIS, MO (September 1, 2023) — DeAndre Wilkes, 44, was found guilty today of Voluntary Manslaughter and Armed Criminal Action for the killing of Clifton Cooley, Jr. in May 2022. The jury in Division 13 of the City of St. Louis Circuit Court handed down its verdict Friday afternoon after deliberating for 8 hours over 2 days.

Wilkes was charged in the death of Mr. Cooley after an argument where Cooley was unarmed. The incident occurred in the 3800 block Eichelberger Street in the Bevo Mill neighborhood of South St. Louis. Mr. Cooley died at the scene of a single gunshot wound.

“The Circuit Attorney’s Office is working diligently to prosecute and clear the backlog of violent crimes in the City of St. Louis,” said St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “I am gratified to know our team achieved justice for Mr. Cooley and his family.”

The Wilkes trial began last Monday, August 28. Assistant Circuit Attorneys Bret Rich and Sherry Wolk co-prosecuted the case. Rich, an experienced St. Louis County prosecutor, left private practice this June to join Gore’s team at the Circuit Attorney’s Office. Wolk is one of several experienced St. Louis city prosecutors who returned to the office in June to resume their roles as Assistant Circuit Attorneys.

Mr. Cooley is survived by his father and siblings.

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